Abstract:
Even though the National Science Foundation (NSF) enjoys widespread support on Capitol Hill, the agency found itself on the receiving end of congressional scissors. The omnibus spending bill passed by Congress in November and signed into law in December would provide $105 million less in fiscal year 2005 for the NSF – a lead agency involved in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) – than lawmakers appropriated for 2004.

“This decision shows dangerous disregard for our nation’s future, and I am both concerned and astonished that we would make this decision at a time when other nations continue to surpass our students in math and science and consistently increase their funding of basic research,” Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich said.